"Three-Quarters Of Japanese Favor Nuclear Power Phase-Out"

"Nearly three-quarters of Japanese voters want to see a gradual phase-out of nuclear power, a newspaper poll showed on Tuesday, the latest sign of concerns about atomic safety as the country struggles with the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.

The survey by the Asahi newspaper, however, also showed that 51 percent agreed reactors now off-line for inspections should be restarted if they meet government safety standards, compared with 35 percent who were opposed, although the percentage opposed was higher in regions hosting reactors.

The survey coincided with Monday's referendum in Italy where almost 95 percent of votes cast favored blocking a nuclear power revival in the earthquake-prone country.

Three months after a massive earthquake and tsunami, workers are trying to stabilize reactors at Tokyo Electric Power Co's Fukushima Daiichi plant. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the area around the plant."
 
Linda Sieg and Yoko Kubota report for Reuters June 15, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Japanese Nuclear Cleanup Workers Detail Lax Safety Practices at Plant" (Wall St. Journal)

"Japan City To Give Radiation Counters To Children" (AFP)

"Radiation 'Hotspots' Hinder Japan Response To Nuclear Crisis" (Reuters)

"Former Inspector Complains of Regulators' Practices" (Wall St. Journal)

"Contaminated Sewage Sludge Worries Japanese" (Australian ABC)